On February 14, 2013, I fell in love. Yes, with a boy. His name is Deonta, and he goes to school at the William Paca School in Baltimore, where I went for sophomore retreat.
Sophomore retreat focuses on service. We started retreat in the auditorium, listening to Mrs. Carlson speak about what we were going to experience. One thing that was repeatedly spoken, by both teachers and girls, was the phrase “She who sees is responsible.” The phrase was explained to us, but no one really quite understood what it meant. However, we all agreed to keep the sentence in mind as we trekked off to our destinations, ready for anything.
I was bused to the William Paca School, which a school with many students from low income families. Three or four girls were sent to each classroom. Three friends and I ended up in a kindergarten classroom. We started our day with them in music class. I was immediately struck by how friendly all of the kids were. Everyone was eager to teach me a new song or hand motion, giggling the entire time. When we traveled from the music room to their normal classroom, every student seemed to have a question. “What’s your name?” “Why are you here?” “Are you sisters?” Laughing at the last question, of course, we exclaimed yes!
Out of the entire day, lunch with the kids was probably my favorite part. Deonta, who had hooked onto me at the beginning of the day and never let go, kept trying to convince me to eat something with him, concerned that I wasn’t going to eat. Listening to him and another boy croon “Oops, I Did It Again” in the lunch line was hilarious, especially when the other kids turned around and tried to get them to quiet down, to no avail.
After lunch, the kids traveled back to their classroom to work a little bit (as much as kindergarteners do). They were writing, and Deonta wasn’t very neat, so he continually tried to convince me to write the paper for him. He was a bit frustrated when I refused, but he eventually allowed me to help him write a bit neater.
Finally, it was time to go. When the kids realized that we had to go, they were so upset. Rachel, who was with me, had about fifteen kids hanging off her, begging her not to go. It was heartbreaking. For me, the worst part was saying goodbye to Deonta. When I told him that I had to go, he reached up, gave me a huge hug, and said, “Natalie, you’re breaking my heart!” I almost started to cry, and had to leave the classroom before I made any promises I couldn’t keep- aka, that I would come back every day and never leave!
When the entire grade regrouped for pizza and a final prayer, we exchanged stories of people who had touched our lives. Girls went to all sorts of places, such as the William S. Baer School for severely disabled kids, Stella Maris for the elderly and Gallagher Services for disabled adults. Every girl came back with a story, and we were so excited to share. No one seemed to be able to stop talking about their experiences. Finally, we truly understood what Mrs. Carlson was talking about- she who sees is responsible. We had seen some people who were truly hurting in this world. Now, it is up to us to make a difference.
As for me, retreat was one of the best days I’ve experienced since coming to NDP. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and getting to work with kids was my dream service retreat. Leaving the kids, especially Deonta, was heart wrenching, but I know now that I will never be able to forget him, and I can truly make a difference, even if just for a few hours.
